If you are planning to fly from the UAE to Saudi Arabia right now, do not pack your bags just yet. Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport officially reopened its doors on Sunday, October 25, 2026, following a two-week shutdown triggered by regional missile and drone threats. You might assume that an airport reopening means flights are back to normal. You would be completely wrong.
Most scheduled departures remain grounded, and major UAE carriers are keeping their suspensions firmly in place. Over 7,800 flights have faced cancellations across the broader regional no-fly disruptions since early October. If you show up at Dubai International or Zayed International expecting a smooth check-in, you are likely to be met with frustrated crowds and closed gates.
Here is what is actually happening behind the scenes, which airlines are still grounding planes, and how to protect your travel plans.
The Reality Behind the Riyadh Airport Reopening
King Khalid International Airport announced it was bringing back operations across Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Terminal 1 handles domestic routes operated by Saudi national carriers, while Terminal 2 is designated for international flights run by Saudi operators.
Sounds like progress, right? It is, but only on paper.
Flight-tracking data paints a totally different picture. Despite the official clearance, international carriers have adopted a cautious wait-and-see approach. A reopening announcement from a local aviation authority doesn't force foreign airlines to resume their schedules overnight, especially when airspace safety assessments change by the hour.
Terminal arrangements have shifted, but the traffic has barely trickled back.
Which UAE Airlines Are Still Cancelling Flights
If you hold a ticket with a UAE carrier, you need to look at their specific timeline rather than banking on the airport reopening news.
Etihad Airways has taken a hard line, cancelling all flights between Abu Dhabi and both Dammam and Riyadh through Thursday, November 5, 2026. Selected services to Jeddah are also scrapped through that date, including key runs like EY601 and EY603 from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah, and the return legs EY602 and EY604.
Emirates has also pulled multiple services connecting Dubai to Saudi hubs. Specific flights like Dubai to Riyadh runs EK815, EK819, and EK817—along with their return counterparts EK816, EK820, EK814, and EK818—remain suspended. Dammam routes like EK823, EK827, and EK821 are facing identical treatment. Meanwhile, select Medina services are seeing mixed operational status, but you cannot rely on normal frequencies.
flydubai has suspended its flights to Riyadh, Dammam, and Abha until October 29. If you were booked on flydubai routes FZ847 or FZ855 to Riyadh, or FZ813 to Abha, your flight is cancelled.
Air Arabia has grounded multiple connections from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi heading into Saudi Arabia, alongside unrelated suspensions touching Kuwait, South Asia, Europe, and Africa—including Sharjah to London Gatwick (G9267) and Athens (G9818).
International Carriers Joining the Grounding Wave
It is not just regional airlines pulling back. Global carriers are giving Saudi routes a wide berth as security protocols remain elevated.
- Air India and Air India Express: Suspensions for Riyadh and Dammam stretch until November 7, with Jeddah services paused through October 31.
- IndiGo: Flights touching Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah are cancelled through October 31.
- Lufthansa Group: Riyadh flights are grounded until November 18, and Dammam services are out through November 30.
- British Airways: Plans a minimal daily Riyadh service starting November 3, but reliability depends heavily on shifting airspace updates.
- Delta Air Lines: Has pushed back its planned Atlanta to Riyadh launch all the way to March 2027.
If you thought international airlines would step in to fill the gap left by regional carriers, these extended holds prove otherwise.
What You Should Do If Your Trip Is Affected
Never head to the airport blindly. Airlines are updating their systems daily, and passenger notification queues can experience delays.
Check your booking reference directly on the airline website or mobile app before leaving your house. If your flight is cancelled, you have rights. Most carriers are offering free rebooking options to operational regional destinations or full refunds credited back to your original payment method within seven days.
If you booked your itinerary through a third-party travel agent or a corporate portal, cut through the middleman where possible and deal directly with the airline's customer support line to secure a seat on the next available operating flight. Flexibility is your best asset right now. Keep your notifications turned on, monitor official airline updates, and assume your schedule is subject to change until your wheels actually leave the runway.
